Autonomous Black Hawk® flies logistics and rescue missions without pilots on board

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have, for the first time, successfully demonstrated to the U.S. Army how an uninhabited Black Hawk helicopter flying autonomously can safely and reliably perform internal and external cargo resupply missions and a rescue operation.

Performed on October 12, 14 and 18, as part of the U.S. Army’s Project Convergence 2022 (PC22) experiment, the flights show how existing and future piloted utility helicopters could one day fly complex missions in reduced-crew or autonomous mode. This would give Army commanders and aviators greater flexibility in how and when aircraft and pilots are used, especially in limited-visibility or contested environments.

Sikorsky is partnered with DARPA to develop autonomy technology that will exponentially improve the flight safety and efficiency of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. Sikorsky’s autonomy system, known as MATRIX™ technology, forms the core of DARPA’s ALIAS (Aircrew Labor In-cockpit Automation System) project.

“We believe MATRIX technology is ready now for transition to the Army as they look to modernise the enduring helicopter fleet and acquire Future Vertical Lift aircraft,” said Igor Cherepinsky, Director of Sikorsky Innovations. “In addition to increasing flight safety and reliability, MATRIX technology enables survivability in high-tempo, high-threat 21^st century security environments where Black Hawk helicopters operate today, and DEFIANT X^® and RAIDER X^® helicopters could operate in the future. Un-crewed or reduced-crewed helicopters could safely perform critical and lifesaving missions day or night in complex terrain and in contested battlespace.”